Raster input/output scanner

Abstract

A combined raster input and output scanner employing spaced document reading and copy printing arrays at a common read/write station. The document to be read and the copy to be printed are disposed in back to back relation and fed simultaneously to the read/write station between the document reading and copy printing arrays. The image reading array is a monolithic full line chip having dual staggered rows of image sensors with individual lenslets for focusing each sensor onto a scan line at the read/write station. To reduce cost, a minimum number of image sensors with relatively wide spacing therebetween is used. To offset loss of resolution, the reading array is movable between a first reading position where one-half of the document line is scanned and a second reading position where the remainder of the line is scanned. The copy printing array comprises a full line of ink jet nozzles, the number and disposition of the ink jet nozzles corresponding to the image sensors, the copy printing array being similarly movable between first and second copy printing positions concurrently with the reading array to thereby print the line in similar half-line increments.

I claim: 
     
       1. A unitary part for images comprising in combination: (a) a first section composed of a substrate having a plurality of image sensors integral therewith which form at least one scanning array;   (b) a second section spaced from said first section, said second section being composed of a substrate having a plurality of individual lenses integral therewith for focusing image rays from the image being scanned onto said sensors, there being one lens associated with each of said sensors; and   (c) a third section intermediate said first and second sections for placing said first and second sections in predetermined spaced operative juxtaposition with one another, said third section being composed of a substrate of light impervious material in face to face contact with said first and second sections and having a plurality of apertures therein, there being one aperture associated with each of said sensors and lenses for optically coupling each of said lenses with the sensor associated therewith in fixed prealigned relation with one another, the centerlines of each of said image sensors being coaxial with the centerline of the lens and aperture associated therewith; said first, second, and third sections together forming a pre-aligned unitary part for scanning images.   
     
     
       2. The unitary part according to claim 1 in which said sensors are arranged in two parallel scanning arrays, the centerlines of the sensors of one array being offset relative to the centerlines of the sensors of the other array, said lenses of said second section being disposed in two parallel arrays with the centerlines of the lenses of one lens array being offset relative to the centerlines of the lenses of the other lens array in matching relation with the sensors of said first section; said apertures of said third section being disposed in two parallel arrays with the centerlines of the apertures in one aperture array being offset relative to the centerlines of the apertures of the other aperture array in matching relation with the centerlines of the sensors of said first section and the centerlines of the lenses of said second section.   
     
     
       3. The unitary part according to claim 1 in which said first, second and third sections cooperate to form a generally rectangular part for scanning images, the axis of said scanning array being parallel to the longitudinal axes of said part.